The vehicle, registration number RAF 339M, was intercepted on Saturday, December 24, in Kicukiro District, Gatenga Sector, Nyanza Cell in Bwiza Village.

Also arrested is one Alex Uwizeyimana, 34, who had flouted the standard transport rules to sneak the uninspected beef on the market.

The Police spokesperson for the central region, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Sylvestre Twajamahoro, said that the vehicle was intercepted at about 8a.m in a joint operations with DASSO and other community policing personnel.

"Police and other community policing entities including DASSO, worked together to intercept the vehicle following information that it was transporting big quantities of unchecked beef from Kamonyi District in Kayenzi Sector, Mataba Cell in Rugoma Village.

The vehicle, which was also not licensed by RICA to transport meat, was intercepted in Gahanga," CIP Twajamahoro said.

The seized carcasses, he added, were disposed of at Nyabugogo waste pit. The driver was also handed a fine of Rwf500,000 by RICA for flouting the meat transportation and sale standards.

This comes after other similar separate operations in the past week in which quantities of red meat packed in prohibited and unhygienic sacks, were intercepted as they were being transported on motorcycles.

CIP Twajamahoro warned of continuous operations against the illegal acts.

Uninspected meat means meat obtained from an animal that has not been inspected in accordance with the law.

For any meat to be sold on the market, it must be slaughtered at a licensed abattoir, inspected and approved for human consumption. The procedure is meant to detect and prevent public health hazards.

The Ministerial Order n°013/11.30 of 18/11/2010 on transport and trade of meat, particularly article 2, stipulates that “…the transport of fresh chilled or frozen meat for food purpose shall be carried in such a manner to not be seen from outside. The meat shall be properly covered and protected against the sun, rain mud, dust, and flies.”

Article 3 of the same order states that the motor-vehicle transportation of fresh, chilled or frozen, non-packed meat shall use closed vans, separate from the driver, internally covered with galvanized brass or any other stainless material.

The van must be inspected first and licensed to transport meat.